3396: Echocardiography in evaluating fetal heart Tei index and its application

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the application of Tei index in fetuses and study its effectiveness in prospective assessment of the fetal cardiac failure.Methods: Echocardiography was performed for Tei index by conjunctive and separative methods simultaneously. Ventricular inflow and outflow tract views were obtained at the same apical five-chamber view in conjunctive method. While inflow and outflow tract views were determined at different views in separative method.Results: The left ventricular (LV) Tei index value was significant different between conjuctive and separative methods (0.59 ± 0.05 and 0.38 ± 0.09, respectively, p < 0.01). Compared with conjunctive method, separative method was more simple and reproducible. LV and right ventricular (RV) Tei indices determined by separative method were 0.319 ± 0.104 and 0.328 ± 0.105, respectively in 400 normal fetuses. There was a strong correlation between LV and RV Tei index (r = 0.766, p < 0.01). In addition, no significant changes of Tei index were observed in fetuses with different gestational age or heart rate. Compared with the normal fetuses, LV and RV Tei indices values were significantly increased in fetuses with cardiac failure (p < 0.01).Conclusions: Tei index was a simple and reliable Doppler index of quantitative assessing overall ventricular function in fetuses. Objectives: To evaluate the application of Tei index in fetuses and study its effectiveness in prospective assessment of the fetal cardiac failure. Methods: Echocardiography was performed for Tei index by conjunctive and separative methods simultaneously. Ventricular inflow and outflow tract views were obtained at the same apical five-chamber view in conjunctive method. While inflow and outflow tract views were determined at different views in separative method. Results: The left ventricular (LV) Tei index value was significant different between conjuctive and separative methods (0.59 ± 0.05 and 0.38 ± 0.09, respectively, p < 0.01). Compared with conjunctive method, separative method was more simple and reproducible. LV and right ventricular (RV) Tei indices determined by separative method were 0.319 ± 0.104 and 0.328 ± 0.105, respectively in 400 normal fetuses. There was a strong correlation between LV and RV Tei index (r = 0.766, p < 0.01). In addition, no significant changes of Tei index were observed in fetuses with different gestational age or heart rate. Compared with the normal fetuses, LV and RV Tei indices values were significantly increased in fetuses with cardiac failure (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Tei index was a simple and reliable Doppler index of quantitative assessing overall ventricular function in fetuses.